Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Shout out dinosaur jr shout out Lou barlow this is a 10 it’s always going to be. A musician who can do no wrong. I love me some noisy, wandering punk shouting over good bass man it just clicks.
Not bad.
Solid. Had not otherwise been familiar
um álbum dificil pra conhecer uma banda que tem álbuns sonoramente mais tranquilos MAS PRA QUEM GOSTA esse aqui é o bruto puta merda te amo lou barlow barulheira e guitarrada com gravação duvidosa é o motivo pelo qual eu vivo
forte DEMAIS não eh o mais recomendável deles pra se ouvir de primeira, nem o que eu mais gostei. PORÉM É SÓ PEDRADA LO-FI GUITARRADA FORA DO TOM gostoso demais sou suspeito pois aprecio mto as letras do lou, mas acho que sebadoh eh das maiores bandas noventistas e um pouco underrated até, deveriam falar mais. mto BÃO
I'm a big Sebadoh fan and this was actually the first album I got of theirs back in the day after hearing Hayden do a cover of Think (Let Tomorrow Be). Lou Barlow is the king of heartbreak love songs and his songs are my fav here, those favs being Soul & Fire, Two Years Two Days, Sacred Attention, Forced Love, and Think. This is the last album with Eric on it, his songs are sometimes too noisy for me, but he has a few great ones here: Emma Get Wild, and Bouquet for a Siren. Of Jason's songs on here, Happily Divided is my fav. I would probably only give this a 4 really, but since it's one of my favs I want this to be on my 5 list.
Formative album, formative band. One time I saw em play without a drummer, they had a fight. Drums came from a tiny cd player sitting on a stool. It was also a formative show :)
they're so bubbly mi love
Grande influence pour moi. Combien de fois j'ai vu en show Lou Barlow solo, Lou Barlow en semi Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr. avec Lou Barlow, Dinosaur Jr. sans Lou Barlow?
Belle découverte : Pixies meets Pavement meets Foo Fighters. Comment ne pas aimer. Curieusement, le cover art ressemble à celui de l'album d'hier de Massive Attack, si j'étais adepte de théorie du complot, ça ne m'en prendrait pas plus pour dire qu'il y a quelque chose là.... Parlant de album cover art j'aime bien, en browsant leurs autres albums, ceux de Harmacy et Bakesale. Anyway, c'est pour découvrir ce genre de groupe que je suis content de faire ce projet.
Sebadoh: 5 étoiles. Simple comme ça.
Really decent indie rock with an edge.
Just hits right.
This album sounds like if Surfer Blood’s Astro Coast was released 20 years earlier.
Love it.
An absolute masterpiece that I would probably hate if it was something new that came out in 2025 that I accidentally heard.
finally a 5-star album
1993. US indie rock
Caught Sebadoh live a few years ago and they were ace. This album is great, slack with occasional ventures into artful noise-rock.
Fav: Soul On Fire Least Fav: Telecosmic Alechemy This was incredible, lo-fi rock is something new to me and it will be something I’ll be getting into. Im shocked at such a low average rating, this album was great
Gets better as it goes. If you're going to take a break from Dino Jr., then at least make it worth it!
As a child of the nineties I feel I was pretty much predestined to like this one
I'm giving this 5 because I really want to return to these guys. Spotify is missing half the album
Every once in a while an album will come along that I’ve never heard of before that really surprises me. It’s not that common of an occurrence, which makes it all the more better when it does happen. This is one such case. I’ve never heard of Sebadoh before. I took one glance at this cover and assumed I was in for something pretty rough. But that is not at all true. The best way to describe this is the music that plays in the wet dreams of Kurt Cobain / Pixies fans. I believe this would probably appeal to most indie rock fans in general. I usually associate slacker rock and noise pop with bright tones and songs written in major keys. So that’s what I was anticipating. But this album is much gloomier and solemn than I was expecting. But it also has its moments where things pick up. Like imagine Tame by Pixies, just turned into multiple different songs. This was also far heavier than I was expecting. This doesn’t really fit the conventional definition of heavy music. But many of the main guitar riffs use these fantastic distorted tones. And some of the vocal performances are also super grunge inspired and intense. I was listening to Slipknot, and then I put on Telecosmic Alechemy, and I swear for like 20 seconds I thought I was still listening to Slipknot. I had to check to be sure. This album shocked me in many ways. And it stands out as a genuine piece of unique indie music that very few probably know about. Which is sad, since this deserves way more attention than it’s gotten. Rating: 9/10
As has happened before, when the album started I thought, "not another alt-rock band from the 90s that eschews tunefulness and feelings," but not long after I was feeling a lot and digging the dissonance in spite of myself. I kind of ended up loving it.
Peak "teenage dirtbag" energy. Raw sounds, discordant tones, and the overall sweat-and-grit feel of a Harmony Korine film (or maybe an early Kevin Smith flick for those with a lighter palate). Captures a solid chunk of the psychic feel of the early 90s. Some of this LP can prove harsh on the ears, which some may not appreciate - but it's mixed to thrill, like a smoke cruise in a used sedan with a group of good friends.
This is right up my alley, nostalgic indie lo-fi rock with a hint of grunge. Time to listen to Sebadoh’s whole discography…
Classic indie noise rock, I love how dynamic this one is from angry squalls of noise to very tender breakup/depression songs. Some might call it disjointed, but it's got 3 primary song writers and honestly... That's a lot of the charm. For fans of Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., Built to Spill, Hüsker Dü, etc. Maybe also if you like Midwest Emo, I feel like a lot of those bands were heavily inspired by all of the bands listed. Anyway, I love it. Maybe not as great as the high points from the other bands I listed, but I feel like Sebadoh are sorta under rated in general as far as 90s lo-fi indie stuff. This rocks.
pierādījums tam, ka nav jāmāk dziedāt, lai būtu grupā ❤️ jāatsāk klausīties nirvana
Damn good emo / grunge album. Think I've heard of the band before but feel like I missed out not hearing this album until now
What a great Indie rock record. I really enjoyed listening to this masterpiece
I had never heard of this band or album before, but it's a banger! Louche loud and brash indie rock... boom!
Oddly enough, I was more team Sebadoh than team Dinosaur Jr. during the "alternative" nineties (Sebadoh's Lou Barlow played bass and sang in Dinosaur Jr. before he was fired from the band). Jay Mascis's songs had too many guitar solos for my snobbish tastes at the time, even if I now recognize Dinosaur Jr.' importance, especially since Barlow reintegrated the band. But to be honest, I've always prefered Sebadoh's organized chaos, emphasizing fully democratic values within the band. And because the music was good too, as strange as those albums by the American band were... There were indeed three songwriters in Sebadoh at the time of *Bubble And Scrape*, and one third of said tracklist was devoted to each songwriter. And this, even if everyone (the audience, the critics, the band itself) knew the best tunesmith was Lou Barlow among those three, thanks to a rare compositional talent that helped him convey deeply melancholic feelings in his own songs. Up to that album, the only melodies really worthy of interest are his, and there are enough of them in it to sell the whole deal. Besides, the songs those melodies are part of are among the most magnificient songs Barlow ever penned in his career: "Soul And Fire", " Two Years Two Days", "Cliche", "Homemade", " Forced Love"... Plus there is the livelier " Sacred Attention", where Barlow mixes his romantic sadcore leanings with an apocalyptic wall of lo-fi guitars. Not to mention "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)", an absolute tearjerker right before the end, where his hushed pleading voice, Seana Carmody's delicate backing vocals, and three simple chords on an acoustic guitar are enough to make you cry. "Let tomorrow be / I can't be so impatient / Pushing every answer / When there isn't any question". Wow. Rarely have songs about a couple in crisis have felt so lived-in. All of that doesn't mean that the two other band members can't bring their own (sour) cream on the melancholic cake. Jason Loewenstein still has to hone his own heavier and grungier-via-hardcore-punk skills at that point, it's true. That said, "Sister" is a great cut, and Jason even visits Lou's angsty and emotional turf with a certain flair on "Happily Divided". As for Eric Gaffney, his dissonant and experimental noisy ventures can admittedly be a breath of fresh air for fans of Syd Barrett (albeit one who would have used a time machine to listen to Hüsker Dü' early hardcore releases). Listen to "Bouquet For A Siren" or "Fantastic Disaster" to get an idea of the sort of crazy shit he could pull off. Not to everyone's tastes, obviously. Yet Gaffney's experiments bring dynamics to the whole thing that keep you constantly on your toes, as bizarre as his compositions are. If there were only Barlow's songs, this lo-fi record wouldn't work in the way it does. Sometimes the sum is worth more than the (discrete) parts. Starting with the next album, *Bakesale*, Gaffney would be out of the picture, making Sebadoh's LPs more easily digestible and/or legible. Which is why I'm surprised this later record is not in Dimery's list, instead of this one. Lou's tunes also shine on *Bakesale*, by the way (as they do in "Harmacy", the one right after), and Loewenstein's upped his game pretty well too. But I guess that's a story for another time, kiddies. 4.5/5, rounded up to 5/5, mostly because I feel that reviewers on this app are a bit lost as to the exact way the very topsy-turvy art of Sebadoh should be apprehended. Always check out Lou's songs first. Then you'll be surprised as to how far you can actually go to eventually appreciate the whole thing. Early Sebadoh is weird because it sort of needs a user's guide. But that doesn't mean they were a "bad" band by any means. Number of albums left to review: 523 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 229 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 110 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 139
cool
good ole indie rock. sound got really interesting at parts throughout the album but overall i had a good time with this :)
everything that 90s lofi should be; raw and slightly embarrassing
Ha chli müesse ine cho
it's pretty wild how modern this sounds. if you told me this was like a 2014 indie release i'd believe you. really like the guy's voice and how strong the lyrics come through, and how they're usually pretty singsongy and attention-grabbing. not every song was my taste but a surprising amount of them were
Bit of a surprise to me. I had never heard of this band, and at first, it seemed like it was the overly pretentious indie rock that you heard about at a coffee shop because you weren't cool enough to discover them. But as it went on, it grew on me, and I get why it's a great album.
Started out nice. Got a little screamy later. Still gonna give it 4 stars despite the screaminess.
Good alt rock record
Considering I had never heard of the band, it was a good listen!
If r/malesurvivingspace were an album, it would be this one; I mean, for one thing there's a song here about a Goon Room ("Homemade"). And you know what, that song is actually pretty good! But seriously, folks: these guys have hit upon a fortuitous marriage (ironically) - lo-fi kinda-tunes and production values with tales of the end of their respective relationships. There are some superficial noise-based similarities with Lou Barlow's previous band Dinosaur Jr. but nobody here can play like J Mascis, so they have to get by on ragged production and raw emotion. As you'd expect given the whole lo-fi thing, there are several throwaway tunes that should have stayed thrown away - but for everyone one of those there's at least one stronger moment. And there are plenty of insightful breakup lyrics here - I'm going with "pretending that you're bigger than you really are" from "Happily Divided," which belies its title with every lurch.
Me encantaron las letras y como música como esta tiene casi una función arqueológica.
I hadn’t heard this whole album for some reason. It’s a bit inconsistent, bit the good songs are so good. Great, chill, 90s vibe ala Teenage Fanclub or Pavement
emotionally life affirming through the lyrics that stand out through the wonderfully weird noise of the production choices (that might be word vomit)
I’d never listened to Sebadoh before and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Low T Foo Fighters? I like this album so far. You can tell they love Sonic Youth and the Pixies and that the Foo Fighters loved them. And all that goodwill is out the window when they go total Sonic Youth on Fantastic Disaster. What is the deal with atonal music? I bet these guys and Beck get along great. This album is very much of its time. On one track or another they sound like every late 80s/early 90s alternative band. It all makes sense now, one of the members is from Dinosaur Jr., another "we sound like the times" band. Yay! Distorted found sound! Album switched to Teenage Fanclub and I had no idea.
4 out of 5. This band was an interesting discovery.
Really great indie/alternative/whatever album. 𝘉𝘶𝘣𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦 has that loose, lo-fi sound that feels rough around the edges without coming across as careless. At times it almost sounds like a more intimate, stripped-down version of Dinosaur Jr., which isn’t too surprising considering Lou Barlow had already been part of that band before forming his own identity with Sebadoh. What makes the album work for me is how unforced it feels. The songs can be messy, awkward, even unfinished at times, but that’s also where a lot of the charm comes from. It never sounds like it’s trying too hard to be “alternative” or lo-fi — it just naturally is.
exactly what i want out of an indie rock album. weird noisy and sloppy in the best ways. loved this shit out of this album
Never heard of this band. Oh these guys are INDIE rock. Cool stuff. Good musicianship. Love the rockness but not heavy, just enough. True early 90s indie rock. Honestly this sounds like it could've been released in the 00s
pavement goes wild
Favourite Songs: Sister Sacred Attention
Enjoyed it more than I thought. Good Alt.Rock
I like it Will I listen to again: 80%
I fwwww itttt
I like Dinosaur Jr and I like lo-fi, so why had I never listened to any Sebadoh? This was pretty good, even if the democratic mix of songwriters made things a bit patchy as Barlow's songs were often better than Gaffney's in particular.
Somewhere between Minutemen and Dinosaur Jr is a criminally under appreciated indie band. A must listen for any lover of classic college radio.
cool songs
Liked it
I was really really into this. Soul and Fire is amazing. The album is cohesive throughout the rollout but not repetitive. It has a great, interesting sound, and good lyrics. I will definitely continue listening to Sebadoh. And this album made me feel excited after a couple of days of listening to albums that have a similar sound.
I don't think I've heard of these guys. But it's promising being that it's an early 90s album :D Hm, Im kinda digging this honestly. I love the rawness of it. The acoustic sounds. So cool how every decade has like a signature to the music. Cliche proves that. I like it. Might be giving this one a 5. Was still living in Montana when this came out. Only 14 yrs old. We didn't really have any way to have been exposed to this. Maybe Missoula had some stations that would play this kind of stuff.
first time listening to homemade, it made me reflect on being raped and the emotional and mental recovery that i've had to go through since then, and how i've managed come to terms with sex again since it happened. then i listened to it a second time and realized it was about jacking off lmao.
very nice listen. raw sound, pleasant vocals. good mix of songs, some raw/angry, cool melodic ones (Sacred Attention, maybe a bit shoegazy even), some quiet too (Think). If you like Sonic Youth and such, that'll be a great find
Up my 90s era alley. Meant to be played loud.
Kind of typical 90's indie, but still good in spite of that. Solid 4 Stars.
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4. At first, I really wondered what this was doing on the list – I’ve never heard of Sebadoh, so at face value, this just seemed like another random indie rock pick for the ‘90s. As it turns out, one of the founding members of this band is Lou Barlow, the former bassist for Dinosaur Jr. who left after the release of “Bug”. That connection does reframe a few of these tracks on this album to my mind, especially so on “Cliche”, which feels like it might be about his choice to leave Dinosaur Jr, though that’s a slightly loose link. Even without that connection though, which I didn’t realize until “Cliche”, I was definitely into the album. I enjoyed most of the first 6 tracks, save for “Telecosmic Alechemy”, the first of a couple of intentionally ‘drunk’ songs on the album, at least to my ears. It’s not a bad track, and it’s certainly interesting – the looser instrumental approach & the disjointed nature of the track piques the interest, though for my tastes, I think it’s just not a very appealing track from a musical standpoint. I think there are 4 ‘drunk’ tracks on the album; “Telecosmic Alechemy”, “Elixir is Zog”, “No Way Out”, & “Flood”. They all stick out as fitting within that looser style, and I do think being drunk is mentioned in all of their lyrics. Out of those 4, only the last one really clicked for me musically, and it’s just because it feels like a super open & free way to end what’s mostly a sadder album. Of the other 13 tracks here, I enjoyed 11 of them – all of them seem to be centered around relationship issues (both for family & romance), chronically cheating, the perils of drug use, or the struggle to maintain a relationship in the healthiest possible way. Some of these tracks feel like they’re centered around the dopamine of getting ‘revenge’ after a breakup, which feels even more potent in a social media era where those moments are more commonplace. The only two tracks I didn’t really vibe with were “Emma Get Wild” (just super short) & “Bouquet For a Siren”, which just feels like it tackles the same subject matter as “Forced Love”, though much less care & morality behind it. Everything else ranges from good to great, with my biggest highlight here being “Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)”. The acoustic approach just really worked for me. So, why bump it down to a 4? Well, 3 of the 4 ‘drunken’ tracks, for as much as they serve a narrative point towards the more spirally side of a messy breakup, just don’t feel as put together & as musically pleasing as the rest of the album. Past that, from the other 13 tracks, there are points where the lyricism seems to make no sense, some rather abrupt fadeouts, & for as much as I like the soundscape as a toned down continuation of Dinosaur Jr.’s more aggressive style, I can’t help but feel like it settles into instrumental breaks just a little too often. They serve to fill out the album, & they’re not a big deal, but you do start to feel them the longer the album goes. To put it another way, this album just doesn’t flow as cohesively as I’d like it to – I understand that the chaos & the ability to jump from calm to manic on a dime is part of the “bubble & scrape” of it all, but in actual execution, the album just feels a little too disjointed as a complete start to finish package. Hence, a 4.5 bumped down to a 4, but one I’d still gladly recommend. It could definitely go up to a 5 on another day, especially if the ‘drunk’ tracks click a little more nicely & flow a bit better to my ears. I’m certainly glad it’s on the list, and I really disagree with the 2.65 this thing has on the site. It’s a quality album, even if it is a bit disjointed.
Необычный, но местами приятный альбом
Excellent stroll down memory lane with this one. Definitive Indie rock.
14yo me would LOVE this
Pure, alternative indie-rock. Sebadoh may not be household names, but only because they liked it better that way.
Nirvana/Radiohead
I was thinking 'this sounds like Dinosaur Jr' and then looked it up and WHAT DO YOU KNOW. Also you can tell Modest Mouse came up around this time too. Good thing I like both of those bands!
I really liked about half of this album. The slow, dirty guitars and melodies were right up my street, whilst the yelling completely put me off. Still good though.
I liked it, from that same era that is very nostalgic (pavement, sonic youth, dinosaur jr, many of the Canadian indie bands). A few tracks that felt weird and out of place, but otherwise an enjoyable listen.
Dinosaur Jr is the obvious comparison point, but this has a ton of other flavors. i almost wanna call it bardic with the eccentric stream of consciousness lyrics. definitely more on the lo-fi and freaky end than the noisy and cathartic. i fuck with it! deserves to be one of the 1001? i mean it's probably not the "right" Sebadoh pick but i can get behind them having one on here. i fuck with Lou Barlow i fuck with You're Living All Over Me
Day 187 Properly in my wheelhouse musically to the point I’m amazed I’d never actually heard this album, probably not quite good enough to go full marks but pretty close. Highlights Sacred Attention Sixteen Flood
Always intriguing. Is it going punk? Free experimental? Almost pop? Stay tuned, it'll go somewhere else. Being Sub Pop helped, I guess, the finely-tuned production making everything crystal clear.
At first I liked the sound but every song was the same. Then they realised they have to switch things up and the album was great.
YUMMMMMM! I really liked this one! I feel like this is finally an album up my alley. Big fan. * Soul and Fire - guitar kind of sounds like sonic youth which I like, also really like the lyrics, especially "I think our love is coming to an end" * Two years two days - again, I really like this sonic youth-ness, good lyrics again * Telecosmic Alechemy - a little more grit * Fantastic disaster - a looooot more grungey, the lyrics kind of remind me of the beastie boys, the harmonica was very unexpected * Happily Divided - this song sounds like elliott smith to me, especially his singing, nice rhyme * Sister - super exciting guitar, I REALLY like the riff * Cliche - peak * Sacred Attention - guitar at the beginning was nice * Elixir Is Zog - The screaming is so funny to me 'cause it just came out of nowhere after the singing has been pretty soft in the previous songs, usually I don't like music with screaming but I like this song a lot * Emma Get Wild - GUITAR IS SO GOOD ON THIS, the way he's singing he sounds like he's just about to run out of breath and i'm SO down for it * Sixteen - the overlapping voices are peak * Homemade - his voice is very pretty in this, at first i was like oh! but then i got what it was about and its very heartfelt * Forced Love - I like the descending melody in the chorus a LOT. * No Way Out - yummy, i like the fly taking a nap or smth in the middle * Bouquet For A Siren - very much like the low and high voices, it feels like space oddity by david bowie * Think (Let Tomorrow Bee) - lyrics are nice, "girl of my dreams, or a friend that one day leaves", yeah i like the lyrics a lot * Flood - interesting song to end the album on
new to me! But I loved it a lot this is the kind of music that's very much up my alley... Love some lo fi alt rock yeah
i'm kind of surprised this album was on here LOL. this is extremely the type of album that would be algorithmically recommended to me. i would listen to it and think, "damn this is weird and kind of sucks but i really like it." in fact, i did do that. love an album that is experimental, kind of weird and just having fun with it.
I like my slacker/indie rock weird, and this album delivers on that promise. This music sounds like it's about to fall apart, and that's a good thing.
yo this was awesome. i like it. im a 90s guy. everyone knows that about me
first listen i like it
i mean its okay
Some amazing tracks
Pedro the Lion with Dinosaur Jr. guitar. Very much my speed.
This was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed the raw sound. Obviously influences a lot of indie bands that I listen to.
I’ve never really listened to Sebadoh before, but that’s about to change. I really enjoyed the pop sensibility paired with the jangly or fuzzy guitars, interspersed with some noisy punkers, in the vain of Nirvana’s Incesticide. Would listen again, will listen again
A more folk Nirvana
Quintessential 90s
Happy to see Sebadoh here, such a fun album
Day727 - starting my last year of this project and my appreciation for all these albums has changed. i like the garage sound. “soul and fire” and “homemade”stood out to me
Not Sebadoh's best ...but still a good un.
ich verstehe echt nicht, wie das album nur 2.65 sterne im durchschnitt hat. ich liebe shoegaze, von daher auch das album. die mehrheit der songs ist gut und ich finds ehrlich cool.
Very typical Alternative Rock album of the era. Sound is very reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr., and almost feels derivative at times. Songs are good, most of them quite short and there's a lot of variation. It balances nicely between soft, loud, acoustic and feeback driven. Maybe not the most imporant album of 1993, but a good album.
Scuzzy indie lo-fi. I was very much into this music when the album was released; I still am. This album is solid from start to finish. I can certainly see how some might not groove with the record, but as a cornerstone of early 90s indie rock it certainly belongs on this list. Great stuff!
Good album! A couple of tracks get a little wild for my personal tastes, but most of it rocked and it’s fun going back to the early days of indie
This is right in my wheelhouse. Kind of noisy rock, two guitar players playing over each other, dissonant solos. The acoustic songs are nice as well. The only song I didn't like was Fantastic Disaster, and, well, you can't say they didn't warn us about that one.
Unique sound, was not previously familiar with this band. Neat musical features
A solid listen. I'm a fan of Dinosaur Jr, too. Didn't realize all the drama there until reading all the notes on who Sebadoh were. A lot of talent was concentrated in that Amherst area in the late 80s.
Felt very 90’s
After giving them a second listen, I started to appreciate this more. I can hear a lot of different indie artists here, though mostly they sound like Pedro the Lion having a good day. They're scrappy, goofy, energetic... I could see them growing on me.
Fun
Not a great record (and that's from someone who grew up listening to Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr) but not a bad one either. I'm gonna give it a 4 though to balance out all the reviews that said it's terrible and gave it a 1. Hey, dad, it's my review and I can score it what I want.
Good solid good cry. Sub pop strikes again. FOUR! Sorta 3.5.
A lo-fi indie sound that blends sensitivity with punk, folk and rock. I like how raw it is. Modest Mouse might already be sitting in this band’s seat for me.
Dinosaur Jr.’s cousin who’s really into Captain Beefheart.
Miserable men with guitars have a certain charm
**In-Depth Review: *Bubble and Scrape* by Sebadoh (1993)** Sebadoh’s fourth studio album, *Bubble and Scrape*, released in April 1993 via Sub Pop, is a pivotal moment in the lo-fi indie rock canon. It marks the final appearance of founding member Eric Gaffney and the band’s first fully studio-recorded effort, signaling a shift from their early cassette-collage aesthetic to a more structured, yet still raw, sound. The album is a fractured, emotionally charged collage of songs by three distinct songwriters—Lou Barlow, Jason Loewenstein, and Eric Gaffney—each bringing their own musical personality to the table. --- ### 🎸 **Music & Sound** Musically, *Bubble and Scrape* is a kaleidoscope of early '90s indie rock styles: melodic slacker pop, noise rock, post-punk, and acoustic balladry. The album’s sound is more varied and adventurous than its predecessor, *Sebadoh III*, with longer song structures and more ambitious arrangements. - **Lou Barlow’s contributions** are melodic and emotionally direct, often leaning into jangly guitar lines and sing-song choruses. Tracks like “Soul and Fire” and “Two Years Two Days” are prime examples of his knack for catchy, melancholic indie pop. - **Jason Loewenstein** brings a harder edge, with songs like “Sister” and “Happily Divided” that channel Hüsker Dü-style punk aggression and raw energy. - **Eric Gaffney’s tracks** are the most experimental, often veering into psychedelic noise or surreal, Beefheart-esque territory. “Telecosmic Alchemy” and “Emma Get Wild” are chaotic, lo-fi freakouts that contrast sharply with Barlow’s more polished tunes. This diversity makes the album feel like a patchwork, but one that captures the democratic spirit of the band. It’s messy, but intentionally so. --- ### 🎙️ **Lyrics & Themes** Lyrically, *Bubble and Scrape* is steeped in emotional vulnerability, romantic disillusionment, and introspection. Barlow’s songs, in particular, are emotionally raw and confessional, often dealing with heartbreak and self-doubt. - “Soul and Fire” is a breakup anthem that balances poetic melancholy with anthemic release: *“I think our love is coming to an end”* is delivered with a mix of resignation and catharsis. - “Think (Let Tomorrow Bee),” a duet with Seana Carmody, is a delicate acoustic ballad that captures the fragility of a relationship in limbo. - Loewenstein and Gaffney’s lyrics are more abstract or surreal, often reflecting inner turmoil or social alienation in less direct ways. The album’s emotional range is wide—sometimes painfully sincere, sometimes sardonic or chaotic—but it never feels disconnected from the lived experience of its creators. --- ### 🎛️ **Production** Produced in part by Bob Weston (of Shellac fame), *Bubble and Scrape* was the first Sebadoh album recorded entirely in a professional studio. While it retains the lo-fi ethos of their earlier work, the production is noticeably cleaner and more cohesive. Instruments are better separated, vocals are more intelligible, and the overall sound has more depth. However, the band didn’t fully abandon their DIY roots. The production still feels intimate and unpolished compared to mainstream rock of the era, preserving the spontaneity and imperfection that give the album its charm. --- ### 🌱 **Influence & Legacy** *Bubble and Scrape* is often cited as a key release in the evolution of '90s indie rock. It helped bridge the gap between the raw, home-recorded aesthetic of early lo-fi and the more polished, emotionally resonant indie rock that would follow. - The album influenced a generation of bands that embraced emotional honesty, sonic experimentation, and a DIY ethos—artists like Pavement, Guided by Voices, and later, Elliott Smith and Death Cab for Cutie. - It also marked a turning point for Sebadoh themselves, setting the stage for the more focused and accessible *Bakesale* (1994). Despite its cult status, the album remains underappreciated outside of indie rock circles. Its fragmented nature and emotional intensity make it a challenging but rewarding listen. --- ### ✅ **Pros** - **Emotionally resonant songwriting**, especially from Lou Barlow. - **Musical diversity**—a wide range of styles and moods. - **Raw, authentic production** that enhances the emotional impact. - **Influential** in shaping the sound of '90s indie rock. - **Standout tracks**: “Soul and Fire,” “Think (Let Tomorrow Bee),” “Homemade,” “Happily Divided.” --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Inconsistent pacing**—the album can feel disjointed due to the rotating songwriters. - **Gaffney’s tracks** may be off-putting to listeners who prefer melody over noise. - **Lo-fi aesthetic** might not appeal to those seeking polished production. - **Overlong**—with 17 tracks, some songs feel like filler or underdeveloped ideas. --- ### 🧩 **Conclusion** *Bubble and Scrape* is not a perfect album, but it is a vital one. It captures a band in transition, grappling with internal tensions, evolving creatively, and laying the groundwork for indie rock’s emotional and sonic future. Its imperfections are part of its power—it’s a snapshot of three artists trying to make sense of themselves and their world, one song at a time. For fans of '90s indie, lo-fi, or emotionally honest rock music, it’s an essential listen.
An album that kept me guessing. Just the right amount of edge. Clear influences of punk, but keeps a lid on that anger. Contemporary with Sonic Youth, which is why I think it was included. Overall, very enjoyable album.
i'm really surprised i had never heard of them pavement, sonic youth and bright eyes??
Favourite track: Cliche
Moments of 90s glory
decently fun
Pretty good. A few catchy songs, well written. I’m surprised that I had never heard of this band before, but now I have checked out some of their other albums too. The style and vibe are very similar to the Foo Fighters’ first album; Dave Grohl must have listened to a lot of Sebadoh before writing and recording. It’s not an all time classic, but it’s a solid effort.
yeah i like this!
Sonido muuuuy interesante. No tienen miedo de meter acordes menores raros de los que suenan "mal", un like por eso. Me ha dado ganas de escuchar más música suya y que yo diga eso es: raro. Una pena haberlo escuchado en mal momento, porque hoy no es sebadoh, es miercoleh :( Favs: Soul and Fire, Two Years Two Days,Happily Divided, Bouquet for a Siren, Think (¿he dicho ya que me gustan los hombres tristes cantando?)
A pleasant surprise this is on here. Very much in my wheelhouse
Grunge in the right era. Probably overshadowed by Nirvana and others. It's a good mix of Nirvana and Meat Puppets with a sprinkle of early Foos. "Sister" reminds me of "Big Cheese". Not bad at all, but there were some tracks that were very bland which knocks some points off.
This was a great surprise. Stellar example of people just making music by themselves wholly their own. Reeks of being made in a house in a liberal arts college town. Not a bad thing.
Hell yeah, this is a great ride!
Little rough, raw sounding, with a hint of surf rock. I enjoyed it.
100626 11:37 4
It's rough around the edges, but Lou Barlow has a great voice and amazing chord voicings, which bring a beauty to even the harsher tunes
This is the reason why I started this project, because I genuinely had never heard of this before, but this was such a good listen! Most of the songs had a pretty fresh sound (at least for the time I suppose) and everything flowed pretty well. Except for the end of No Way Out, not sure what was going on there…
This was unexpected! And I quite liked it. Right up my alley. I wouldn’t say it’s a must-listen unless you’re into this stuff though. Like, this is leagues below Pavement & GBV etc. But it’s still very cool lo-fi indie rock, sometimes pretty, sometimes chaotic, cozy, freaked out.
As someone who was living in western Mass in '93, this album will always have a place in my heart. "Soul and Fire" may have been on more than one mix tape I made, but you can't prove it.
Pretty cool, thought of it as a Pixies-like but one of the founding members was apparently part of Dinosaur Jr. so I'll consider it as the midpoint between both bands
First playthrough, first thoughts.... "uggh!, what is this garbage. The first two tracks are OK, but most of the others are abysmal." First playthrough, towards the end... "OK some of these numbers have merit, and there are definitely flashes of brilliance amongst the dross." Second playthrough... "Why am I actually liking this? It's not going in my collection any time soon, but hell, I'm quite enjoying it" Final verdict... "A band with great potential who seem to enjoy deliberately playing badly, and then surprising listeners with brief displays of true talent. I look forward to hearing some of their later material, which might be a bit more polished, and could even blow me away".
Indie rock emerging from the 80s into the early 90s with a sonic boom to break your heart.
I am a fan of grunge and this is very proto-grunge, I can see the influence on all the Seattle bands that I really love.
i do like this sort of 90s indie noise rock bullshit but at the end of the day I'm having a hard time imagining picking this over one of many superior and comparable albums
Decent alt rock
Ended up really enjoying it. Sounds like dinosaurs jr and sonic youth but I preferred this I think
Lou Barlow is great! I'm a sucker for early 90's rock and this doesn't disappoint. Sure it has a few weak tracks but overall a fun album.
A good listen. Indie/LoFi
I liked this one quite a bit. I was the only one in the car that did.
Alright, 4
From the clear guitars and the gloomy bass as the first track started I could tell this could be good. Never heard of them prior to now. Great album.
I always kind of forget about Seaborg. Or Sebadoh, idiot auto-correct. First thing I’ve added to my library in a while.
Like this typa laid back indie rock a lot. Definitely had potential to be a much better album, I feel like the vocals don’t work as well as they should on a lot of the tracks. Still pretty good
Gloriously ramshackle but more genius hits than misses and an extra star for Flood
So much fun.
This first half of this album was ok, but really got interesting for me starting about halfway through with Elixer is Zog. This seems like one that will grow on me, so I'll likely be putting it on again soon. 3.5/5
This album is great. It has a lot of diverse sounds and they're all interesting. I found it interesting that this is related to Dinosaur Jr. 4/5
This album has a lot to offer. It also interrupts is offerings to scream at me on occasion. Three songwriters and different stylings create, for me, an uneven album. I happily settle into the lo-fi groove but then get pulled out of that groove by some juvenile outbursts that remind me of, say, the Suicidal Tendencies. Nevertheless, I really like this album most of the time. I want to listen again for sure, and that means 4/5.
I missed this band in the early 90s, and it is a shame because I enjoyed this album. They sound like a garage band that through maturity and discipline graduated to a living room band. And when they stay in that restrained groove they are at their best. The vocals and instrumentation are sharp, crisp, and groovy. I like that they dip back into a more raw garage band style, but when they settle down, they really shine.
This is the one where they got into their groove. Not yet the genius of Bakesale but still so many bangers.
The music I’d been listening to (as well as the music recommended to me here), I just realized, has all been from the sixties or earlier for like a month. I really love music from the sixties. But I was feeling music fatigue. This is something nobody should ever feel! I was bored of music! Finally, the generator decided to lift me from my rut by throwing me headfirst into the 90’s indie scene. Thank god. This was such a balm, such a remedy. I’d never listened to Sebadoh before, but I was immediately into it. Bubble and Scrape, I will be back!
indie rock that really blows your socks and speakers off. it's probably one of the more emotional ones in this collection too, with passionate tracks that make it perfect for puke-inducing breakups. there's a great concept at play here, but within all the cool fuzzy tracks that almost take inspiration from 60s rock ballads are a few tracks that sound REALLY dissonant. maybe it would hit harder if i was going through... all that? i dunno. the sound sometimes throws me off. props to them for experimentation!
I don't think any Sebadoh fan would say that this is the "must listen" album. In their original configuration, "Sebadoh III" is the better choice. After Eric Gaffney's departure, the albums "Bakesale" and "Harmacy" featured Sebadoh's strongest and most accessible material. Any of those three records would be better for this list. But, hey, I'm just glad to see any album from them here. Tack on a half-star because I have a darkly funny story about Sebadoh's Lou Barlow and The Lemonheads' Evan Dando. Too long to tell it here.
Oh wow, some Sebadoh. Nice surprise. I missed this album at the time, though knew Sebadoh III well, so listening is kind of an old and new experience together. Maybe it's the slight lack of familiarity that means I don't love it quite as much as III or the later The Sebadoh, but still really enjoyed.
Never heard of these guys before. Thought it might be metal from the band name, but the album name and cover tell a different story. Turns out this falls into the catchall genre that is 90s indie rock. And within that catchall space of operations, this album flies all over the place. There are some songs that are of the softer, straight and narrow variety (e.g., Soul And Fire, Cliche, Think), but then there are the punky excursions (Sister, Emma Get Wild, No Way Out), wierdo feakout dilapidated shit (Elixir is Zog, Fantastic Disaster), and others (Flood, Homemade). Honestly its a lot, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the surprise of every track. This was a wild but fun ride. At times the vocals are a bit crass even for my taste, but other than that, this was a blast. Highlights for me were Flood, Soul And Fire, Sister, the kookiness of Fantastic Disaster and Elixir is Zog, and Homemade. Felt like individual tracks remind me of other acts. Sixteen has a Sonic Youth nature about it. Flood taps into a similar unhinged spirit to early Modest Mouse. And No Way Out reminds me of a weird fusion between Police and Iggy Pop. Certainly unique. I'll be back again for me. Solid to high 4.
Wow, what a pleasant discovery! Never heard of them, which I find strange. At times it reminds me of Tera Melos/Bygones that came long after
'There's a joy in letting go, / Free to find a love apart.' For low-fi, slacker rock, Sebadoh is shockingly attuned to the deadweight of violence: 'Shot glass hits the wall / Tiny victory.' There's rage here, tho channeled in a way I haven't really heard before: it's not the Pistols, it's not hardcore, it's not industrial, and it's certainly not metal. Each track is uncomfortable to listen to, and tho I greatly admire the artistry that sustains this record, it honestly unloads a great deal of heaviness I'm not prepared to confront. They're not like the Pixies, who employ violence to explore philosophical themes; this is claustrophobic upset, tho paired w/ an egalitarian ethos: 'I won't hold back, so why should you?' So. I won't hold back. But now I'm afraid.
Some good songs, some weird songs, I like it all
Such a cool album, I really enjoyed it. Lots of interesting dissonance going on as well.
Pretty good this, enjoyed it more and more as it went on. Lo-fi but rocky too. Quite noisy but in a good way.
Well, that was fun.
Ah the 90s. What a 90s 90s band from the 90s.
I was a little underwhelmed by the popular follow up to this, Bakesale, and it was the only Sebadoh I heard at the time. I missed out.
Great
One for the off kilter music lover. Good.
Look, I can't explain what it is about it, but this gets four stars from me. It's good and there are some songs that I will go back and listen to after this round, and that's really my definition of a 4 star album for me.
Shaggy lo-fi post-hardcore indie rock played at an ambling pace with lots of space for the fuzzy guitars to blossom, for the overdrive to warm up, and the riffs to grow and weave around. A nice amalgam of the sounds of the pre-grunge DIY underground - a bit of the slacker energy of Pavement, the nervouse energy of Missions of Burma, some of the dynamimcs of the Pixies, and the heavy crunchy distortion of the Melvins, the driving energy of the Minutemen, the thick chugging riffs of Dino Jr, and the sprawling dissonance of Sonic youth. The vocals are thin and introspective, mumbled and screamed and somewhat buried in the mix - none of the songs have have the hooks or big catchy melodies of Pixies/Dino.
There are 4 or 5 songs on this that I think are great and then there’s a lot of cacophany. In general I like what this is throwing down though
First listen to a nice album 👍
I really enjoyed this album. It’s a fun indie rock record that at times verges into grungey post-rock. Fun guitar work with some cool blues influences. Lots of fuzz and noise throughout. Vocally it’s abrasive yet melodic, and the delivery feels incredibly genuine. “Telecosmic Alchemy” stands out as my favourite track on the record. I hear some resemblance to bands like modest mouse throughout, but it doesn’t feel like a copy of anything. This is a record that I’ll almost definitely listen to again. 4*
Better than expected—- 3.5 going 4 due to lack of love here.
Slowcore may not be Sharkcore.... But it is at least Sharkadjacent. (8.35) ★★★★
Not my taste, seems chill tho
I feel like when I started the 1001 albums generator, I would have hated this. Or maybe felt nothing towards it. But now? I was really into this. From the quieter moments to the louder moments, from the clear to the fuzzy. This album was really genuinely an enjoyable listen for me.
This album was a bunch of fun. It was mostly right up my alley for grungy 90s rock
Weird 90s punk in a great way. A bit disjointed at times but some real standouts strong enough to carry through the rest, especially Cliche.
I prefer Bakesale but this is good too!
Ganska gôtt skrammel. Fyra
Bubble & Scrape is the fourth album by Sebadoh, originally released in 1993. I've always hears of Sebadoh but I never listened to this album. This is very on-brand for Sub Pop at the time. Solid alternative rock very reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr. It definitely doesn't have the super distorted production quality that Dinosaur Jr is known for, so more listeners may gravitate towards this record. It has that indie-slacker-rock vibe, not unlike Pavement was doing in the 90s. The songwriting is meh at times but overall this was a cool listen.
Pretty chad.
I owe an unreasonable amount of my musical taste to the greater Amherst area, but even I was surprised that this album is on this list. Not that it doesn't deserve to be - there's maybe as many as 3 Sebadoh albums that I'd give a 4 or better to - but they just seem like a fascinating little cul de sac artist.
Dig
Yesterday I got an album by Dinosaur Jr. Coincidentally, today's album comes from former Dinosaur Jr bassist, Lou Barlow's band. Sebadoh was Barlow's outlet when he found his creative voice being pushed out by bandmate J Mascis. To my surprise, I enjoyed this one more. It sounds more developed, more accessible, albeit a bit less groundbreaking. Sebadoh sounds more like the 90s indie rock I would have known from my childhood. Deeply influenced by punk and post punk, with nods to experimental music but poppy enough to dominate college radio stations of the era. I really feel like I can hear loads of hints of early Beck releases on here. What a great discovery. I wish I'd known this album earlier.
A little meandering at times but enjoyable
Yesss. Love this band.
Mooi lekker punk
A bit Hüsker Dü.
This is dead good. Grunge with a hint of shoegaze that is right in my wheelhouse. It probably suffers a little in comparison to some of the music that came out of the same scene at the same time, because arguably judged solely on its own merits it could be inching into the fives.
The first couple songs sounded almost run of the mill grunge, but by the end I was kind of into it. The punk ethos that was inherent to grunge is very present. I suppose it depends on your opinion of both those genres as to whether or not that’s a good thing. It gave off definite Stereopathetic Soul Manure vibes, and I’m sure it’s something Beck had been listening to.
I enjoyed this one they really went back and forth between a 90/00s indie sound and then more grunge/garage. Pretty stripped down and interesting.
Honestly I love the rawness of it. There production is lacking, but adds to the mystique. The punk overtones, and sadboy rock consistency create a very intriguing, indie record. It can get lost in the noise at points, but the song writing is strong and captivating, has that dinosaur jr vibe. Really surprised by this one
De esos álbumes de los que no se sabe nada y resultan ser casi una genialidad. Empieza increíble, luego se pone raro, luego otra vez es genial y al final se queda la sensación de haber escuchado algo único que seguro crecerá con cada escucha. Padrísimo.
New to me, neat and cool. I could see going back to this many times, and checking out more. That’s what it’s all about, babyyyy
A really fun indie rock discovery.
Decent, reminded me of Black Flag and something else...
This is why I do this. What a gem of an album.
3.6
Dope indie!!! Never listened to Sebadoh all that much, but it seems I should!
Liked this a lot! Garagey, kinda messy, very much my thing. 3.5
Really cool take on indie rock. I can picture these fellas in their garage writing these songs. Raw and unrefined, good craic
You know I have never really dug in to Sebadoh--just more been aware of them because of Dinosaur Jr. This album is great. Has a distinctly 90s indie feel to it, and a bit rough around the edges. Very much dig it.
Sloppy brilliance
4.1 - What a clashing album, not sure why I enjoyed it so much. I think it felt so off, that when it was on, it sounded so great. It was as if it gave you something harsh to hear so that you appreciated the other songs more
There is a real 90s University nostalgia to this. It sounds like being 20 years old. One of the more interesting US garage albums.
I always liked Sebadoh. Never listened to this album though.
This is everything I like about 90s indie rock: dissonant, lo-fi, and tinged with punk energy.
Muy muy bueno, muy buen rock. High 8/10.
Love the 90s Sebadoh albums and this is no exception.
Loved it! Wasn’t familiar with the band, and I really enjoyed it.
I love this list on days like today.
Wow this was an awesome find! I love discovering a lot of these old indie rock albums from the late 80s and early 90’s. I will definitely be listening to this one more in the future.
Bubble and Scrape is a bit of a sloppy mess at times but there’s beauty in the slop and I really enjoyed it. 4 stars
Genre: Indie rock 1993 Standouts: Soul and Fire, Sister, Two Years Two Days, Great sound! 4/5
I didn't want to like this, I really didn't at the beginning. But the lyrics are actually quite good, and the music has this nice grunge-like sound that is really indicative of 90s indie. A happy surprise.
What an amazing album -- I was delighted to hear this
I loved this. Listened to it 3x today.
I always wanted to listen to more Sebadoh but never did. I love Pavement and GBV but just got into Sebadoh. Not sure why not, this album was awesome.
Sonic mayhem abounds - well worth repeated listenings.
I actually liked this. Kind of an indie punk rock feel to it which worked pretty well for me. 4/5
Sebadoh stands out not for being particularly good, but for being a pioneer.
I’ve heard Bakesale a couple of times and enjoyed it but never really checked out any more Sebadoh, so was interested to give this one a try It was really fun and a lot more varied than expected, with some gorgeous shoegazey moments contrasted with some energetic slacker rock and whatever the heck was going on during Elixir Is Zog
A new one on me. Discordant and dissonant at times, but an enjoyable kind of chaos that pulls you through rather than leaving you behind.
A band friends were obsessed with in high school. I never listened. I can see why the obsession.
Genre: Indie Rock Standouts: Soul and Fire, Think (Let Tomorrow Bee) Solid rocker: 3.5
Pretty good indie rock
I really dig this. It's like touching on all these different alternative sounds from the '80s and '90s: Dinosaur Jr., Guided By Voices, Failure, Slint, Meat Puppets...
American indie rock band. Du gros riff accrocheur, le sonore est pas mal bon, même si le chanteur c'est pas mon pref du tout. J'aime la variété des chansons (aka pas comme les ramones). Un 4 pour la découverte et l'originalité, quoiqu'il se fait bien mieux.
This was a pleasant surprise. There's no one track that stands out, unfortunately, but the album as a whole works.
Obviously influential as hell
Bra, noe bråkete enkelte sanger
fun listen, wish it was mixed a little better though.
One of the most schizophrenic albums I’ve ever heard. Starts out normal, then all of a sudden gets weird, and then very weird, and then back to normal again, followed by more weirdness. I kind of liked it!
Lovely guitar noises abound
Some nice lo-fi on here. Will need to check out some more.
One of the better albums from the grunge era
Lou Barlow being in Dinosaur Jr. really makes sense here. Well-crafted, grungy pop songs that turn into hippie freakout music really quickly. Can be a little schizo with three separate writers each creating separate tracks. Favorite tracks: "Think", "Elixir Is Zog", "Soul And Fire"
Enjoyed this one.
This album has songs created by each of the 3 musicians which makes for something truly chaotic. It sounds shitty and messy, so I love it.
Very splendid and calming yet fun album
This is similar to a lot of the indie rock we’ve had on the list, but it’s good nonetheless. ‘Soul and Fire’ is an especially good song. I liked it, but it’s kind of weird it made the list.
8/10
Some hits and misses, but I must come back
Good record! Never listened to it before but it’s good indie rock
Ça parle à mon côté plus heavy. L'aspect dissonant et les deux chanteurs sont une belle touche.
The first Sebadoh release recorded in a professional studio manages to maintain the lo-fi aesthetics with a higher caliber songwriting (divided among the three talented songwriters) and instrumentation. Songs are uniformly strong. Soul and Fire, Think (Let Tomorrow Bee), No Way Out and Happily Divided are standouts. I am not sure it makes my list, but well worth a listen..
Thing about this one, there are some really really great songs on here, but the bad ones are so bad.
I liked it a lot. Meat puppets esque
Like Modest Mouse and Primus had offspring
- Girl Band by moment (noise rock with focus on voice ) - Duster by moment ( slacker rock ) - Some strong tracks but some really bland - Guitar is p cool ngl - 7.6
Deze kan ik wel smaken
I like Sebadoh a lot and generally in the order Barlow > Loewenstein > Gaffney (although the mix is definitely an added value). For that reason later albums are preferred, yet this one is much more than ok.
Very enjoyable indie record which is not afraid to be gritty and dissonant. Barlow is great as always.
I’ve always enjoyed the Barlow-led songs of Dinosaur Jr. I don’t enjoy him any less in Sebadoh. Bubble And Scrapes ranges from the frantic and hysterical, “Fantastic Disaster” and “No Way Out”, to absolute pieces of beauty like “Soul and Fire” and “Think (Let Tomorrow Bee”.
That was awesome. It's noisy, sludgy, gloopy and yucky. It's like somebody took a regular grunge band, trapped them in a steel shack in the middle of the desert and recorded them through a Speak&Spell toy. The musical equivalent of CCTV footage.
This shit should have been huge in 1993. My hunch is the rock press was too enamored with the Billy Corgans, Eddie Vedders and Kurt Cobains to even notice this album. I was working for a college radio station at the time and even I have no memory of this, the definition of flying under the radar.
Album starts very weird and extremely disjointed, but it gets better. Those first few tracks I didn't really enjoy but in the end it's a yes from me and they've pulled through hah. At the end album gets weird again! Saved tracks: Fantastic Disaster, Happily Divided, Sister
3-4 but I'm feeling generous today
Really like Sebadoh and have been listening to them for years. Soul and Fire is a banger and the rest of the album is a bit of a rollercoaster from mellow to frantic. I think I prefer Bakesale but still great album
It's like Dinosaur Jr. but it isn't
If you only listen to mainstream, commercial music then this album would be easily dismissed. The sound is lo-fi, the instruments sound out of tune at times and the singing isn't strong. Lou Barlow (formerly of Dino Jr), isn't seeking commercial success or accolades for his music, instead he delivers some raw, heartfelt music that could be considered indie, alternative, or just plain weird, but it's the kind of music I've come to appreciate and I'm glad this list acknowledges musicians and bands from outside the "norm". Bubble And Scrape was actually recorded in a professional studio instead of "home-recorded", so this would be considered a more polished work compared to previous albums. I like it, we need more bands like Sebadoh and musicians like Lou Barlow that push the boundaries of quality music instead of the bland radio-friendly schlock we have to endure most of the time.
“We have Guided By Voices at home”
This listener is a sucker for indie rock, and this album did not disappoint at all. Granted, after some time the search for indie rock tends to dwindle as a few indies grow up and join the so-called mainstream, but this one from 1993 is a very welcome throwback to the less complicated, the more intentional creation of independent rock. Warm instruments, restrained drums, melodic vocals, dare it be called 'emo', no, this was better than emo. It is what emo should have stayed being, good writing and enjoyable to listen and relate, not some whiney-complain-y mess. This was a neat surprise, a perfect album for less than energetic days, just a really good listen.
A little bit of Bauhaus. Has that Boston - The Feelies - vibe. Fits in my wheelhouse
I over looked this at the time. A lot of interesting material on here.
Suprised me in a good way. I've listened quite a few 90's rock albums through here, but none of them had stand out like this one until now. fav track: Homemade
Really enjoyed this, some of it sounds like early Biffy, or gentle Nirvana, but it is still entirely its own thing. A band I plan to seek out more from.
First time hearing this band but thoroughly enjoyed it!
Some of the heavier songs and the more punk-rock ones are good, but the rest of the album is generic alternative.
If you had asked me a day ago who Lou Barlow is I could have told you he was in Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr. and Folk Implosion. Of the three, the only one of those bands I've never listened to though is Sebadoh. Not sure how that happened. What a weird experience this album is. There was more that one tune that had me smashing that skip button pretty quickly. And yet... AND YET! We gotta talk about "Homemade." Holy shit. Go back and listen to that one if you let it just pass over you without paying much attention to it. Because that might be the best 90s era emo song I've never remotely heard of before. Like hall of fame level. I've listened to it three times already and it's going on a playlist. So what I've concluded is that when this band is a little more restrained, a little more quiet, and a little sad... I am a Sebadoh fan. "Happily Divided" is great. "Sister" and "Cliche" I liked a lot. Gimme "Think" all day long. But "Elixir is Zog"? "No Way Out?" Hard pass. I can't with the lo-fi spazz out stuff. The songs that sound basically like Dinosaur Jr. without Mascis on guitar aren't cutting it, man. And that stinks. Once we finish this list twenty-four years from now if someone asks me to name a record from it that had the highest highs and lowest lows, all on the same album... my answer might be this one.
a little too angsty for my taste but still really enjoyable regardless - 8/10
Ja, punten voor sebadoh, niet het volle pond, ik bijt namelijk op mijn lip om niet te zeggen dat "andere albums...". Dan kom ik misschien wel als een zeurpiet over..
An intriguingly eclectic batch of songs from the aftermath of the grunge boom in 1993. Sebadoh bring the goods as well as the strange and it should be appreciated for just how well-woven it can be. Favorites: Soul and Fire, Two Years Two Days, Happily Divided, Elixir is Zog, Homemade, Forced Love, No Way Out.
Passed on this listen first time around.... figured I would try it. Really liked the vibe. Rare Sunday four stars for me
Pretty unique and interesting take on a classic 90s indie sound, artistic dissonance, all kinds of experimental guitar sounds, blending of genres. A little out there musically but solid as an experimental project
first time listen, 4/5!
a 3.5 , first half is great
nineteen ninety three
Interesting, great indie rock feel, but I'm not sure any of the songs really hooked me.
Fuck my mouth.
👾
false
This was a pretty cool alt/grungy type thing
Jangy good fun
I like the
Skönt lo-fi sound. Ganska likt Dinosaur Jr vilket inte är så konstigt eftersom Lou Barlow därifrån är med även här. Det är lite för ojämnt med ett gäng usla låtar, men Sacred Attention och Bouquet for a Siren är otroligt bra.
#999. I can't tell if it's bad as an artistic choice, or because of a lack of skill. I suspect maybe that's maybe a bit of both. There's some good songs, some nonsense, I dig it. 3/5: acceptable
Interesting alternative rock record with some cool songs - a little to lo-fi and sloppy for my taste at times
There is a 4-star 40-minute album in there somewhere
as much as dinosaur jr IS my jam, sebadoh is not. no shade Lou, just don’t feel it. actually prefer Folk Implosion tbh
Yet another album that felt just a bit overstuffed. The songs themselves aren’t that long, and with their slacker stylings, they also not that complex or dense, but 17 tracks on an album still felt too long. Felt somewhat like how The Monkees might have sounded if they’d grown up a bit and been transplanted into the 90s weed scene.
I am generally happy with the dissonance, detuned instruments, and flat vocals. That can be fun. From the right people, it can even seem raw and authentic, rather than wrong. Which is a clever trick. Rather, it's the annoying tempo change at the very beginning of the album, knocking down the speed when the whole arrangement implies uplift into the record proper, that let's you know you're being messed with. Denied the simple pleasures of rock'n'roll for mucking about. I know of what I speak, because it is exactly the sort of thing Paul and I would have done. And, on reflection, it got in the way. There are albums that play with your expectation and that elevates the whole thing. And we will come to acts like Throbbing Gristle who are pure aggravation. But you feel like Lou Barlow wants you to actually enjoy the songs. Then get out of the way, Lou! 2 This is charming. 3/5
Meh
Reading the entry in the book, thought this might be one I really dislike. A bit of a mixed bag, probably due to the different songwriters. Recognized a couple songs from alternative radio. 2.5 stars
I went into Bubble and Scrape not really knowing what to expect, but it turned out to be a total mixed bag. It’s basically a mashup of shoegaze, Pavement-style slacker rock, and some Sonic Youth-esque noise, all recorded like it was done on a cheap tape deck in a garage. It’s definitely raw and messy and the guitars go out of tune and things get pretty weird but that’s honestly where the charm is. It’s a super flawed, gritty little piece of the '90s indie scene that really nails that whole DIY vibe.
I like the sound but the lyrics are mostly misses for me. Interesting album overall.
Aaah lofi...I always appreciate the crunchy guitar mixing with the jangly.
#239 listening diary -Soul and Fire is pretty good! -I like how his voice sounds on Happily Divided, it reminded me of Eliott Smith a lil bit. Very 90s sounding 90s album. -Sister was cool, I really like the use of feedback. It does feel like the production isn't up to par. Like this doesn't sound as raw as they wanted it to be, maybe the mix is bit off, like every instrument is a bit too quiet or something. -Cliche was good too, I'm enjoying this so far, coming off of Soul and Fire I felt a bit undewhelmed for 3 or 4 tracks but then it kicked off again. -the songs are well written and interesting, this is a better 3 than many 3 I've given. -There's a couple of songs with post-punk sounding guitars. I do like that.
Entiendo el punto pero demasiada disonancia para mi gusto
It had a lot going on but several songs were boppy